Had my FVee car down in Mondello for a test session last Saturday morning.

Enjoyed it greatly. (didn't have a misfire like I had at the last test session)

Boy was I slow! I was setting consistent 67 second (1m 07s) laps of the national circuit. The quick guys were doing 61 second laps and the mid field gus were doing 63/64 second laps.

I need to improve my confidence on the brakes. I am using old spec drums on the front, whereas all race cars now have discs on the front. My car is also set at a higher ride height for the rougher roads of the hillclimbs. But a lot of my lack of speed was down to lack of bravery on the brakes.

My next event is the Sunday and Monday of the June Bank Holiday Weekend at Bagenalstown and Athy. I am think of entering a race in Mondello on the 2nd of July and hopefully the Phoenix Park races after that.

More info about the car http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/FVee.htm - http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/FVee.htm

flyingalexf68 wrote: That looks like real good fun. Should really have discs on the front though. In a car weighing 475kg you could brake so late into corners and easily make up the 5 or 6 seconds you need. Are there many people into the FV racing? Is it expensive?

I will be making contact with David Sheane to find out how much the disc conversion kit is

I don't think I will ever get near the 61s laps you should hear the detail the quick guys go into, like 1/2 psi tweeks on tyre pressure! but if I got to the 63/64s I would be happy.

I think there be over 50 cars ready to race out there with maybe 25 to 30 coming out at any one race meeting. At the hillclimbs 3 maybe four turn out with a similar number of FFords and about 5/6 2litre and above cars and 2/3 motorcycle engined.

How much? My car cost me €2600 I hear prices of around €6500 for usable Mondello cars. My car has only been on the hills for a number of years so has no history and is out of date. Entry to races €195 for qualifying and a 12 lap race. Testing is €130 for a half day €250 for a full day. The hillclimb events are €250 for the 2 days.

Brendan, if the front suspension was the back axle off an Alfa it would be modern, remember Mr. Porsche designed the Beetle before the Emergency(WWII)

Biggest problem with FVees Oil leaks I have one small and another getting worse. Nuisance

Next outing Hillclimbs at Bagenalstown Sunday and Athy Monday of the June Bank Holiday Weekend

A sequence of three photos from the Clare hillclimb at the Corkscrew near Ballyvaughan last Saturday.

Bump 1 Front wheels in air after hitting bump back grounded as front goes up

http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump1.jpg - http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump1.jpg

Bump2 Three wheels in the air coming in for a landing

http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump2.jpg - http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump2.jpg

Bump 3 Heavy landing!

http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump3.jpg - http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/bump3.jpg

Good fun!

You should see the polished underside on the car! And remember my posterior has only a fibreglass seat and a sheet of aluminium between it and the road!

Ger - that was me blowing the horn at you as you passed through Kinvara afterwards.

Looks like the corkscrew was fun this year!

Fey I noticed the car just did'nt recognise you.

The back is OK

Great photos their Gerard, the Vee's are great fun

Cool snaps.  Thanks for sharing.

Soaked and Sizzled

The dungarvan hillclimbs organised by Tipperary Motor Club were on 8/9 July. The club uses the same piece of road each day, which can be a little boring. But not this year! The Saturday practice run had a few dops of rain falling. By the time we got to the first timed run it was floggling out of the heavens.

It was my chance to take a result from the Formula Fords in my class and after the first timed run I was 2nd of 6 in class 5A. On the second timed run 2 of the FFords improved more than I improved so I ended up 4th in class. As conditions got worse the third run was abandoned, so the result stood after run 2

A closed car rarely wins overall these days on the hills but Seamus Morris in his Darrian T90 beat Pat Roche in his single seater (OMS Hayabusa)by 79.22s to 79.28s. Class winner in 5A was Declan McNamara in a FFord Mondial in a time of 93.11s my time was 96.86s

Other BMW club people Paul O'Connell (Delta T79) 3rd overall 80.55s, Simon McKinley (Escort MK II) 2nd class 3B 86.70s, Denis Hogan Jnr (BMW M3) 3rd class 3B 90.79s

Sunday just a few pretty clouds in the sky. No chance now for the FVee against the power advantage of th FFords. One driver had a suspension breakage on the practice run so that left 5 in the class of which I was 5th!

The Times 1st overall Pat Roche 64.27s 2nd Overall Paul O'Connell 66.01s 2nd class3B Simon McKinley 74.02s 3rd class 3B Denis Hogan Jnr 81.38s

Winner class 5A was Lee Stanworth in a FFord in 75.79s my time for 5th in class 82.38s

Next Event Limerick Motor Club Hillclimbs at the Old Mill near Newcastle West on 5/6 August

And after that the Phoenix Park Motor Races on 12/13 August http://www.phoenixparkmotorraces.org/ - http://www.phoenixparkmotorraces.org/

If you are interested come along and give me a hand at the races.

I have a 24MB on car video taken on Sunday of Run 3 with my digital camera in 320x240 movie mode. Where is my best place to upload it to?

Some on car videosfrom Dungarvan

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2018081389802582237 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2018081389802582237

Only the Rally cars are on road legal tyres

The tyres on the Vee are a specified under the rules Classic Formula Ford racing purposes only tyre by Dunlop. This is the only tyre allowed so it has to be used wet or dry.

The current Formula Fords run an Avon tyre for all conditions

Classes with no tyre spec run slicks and wets depending on conditions and we got both at Dungarvan

I was out on slicks in the rain on the Saturday.... never ever had so little grip! It was so much fun!!!

Hi all

My other German powered car will be racing in the Phoenix Park on Saturday and Sunday

Timetable Practice Sat 11.00   Race 1 Sat 15.30    Race 2 Sun 15.00

More info http://www.phoenixparkmotorraces.org/index.html - http://www.phoenixparkmotorraces.org/index.html

Say Hello if you are in the area

A Difficult Weekend!

Scrutiny (Friday Evening) went well. Only 3 points to be rectified. One was a missing sticker to indicate where the fire extinguisher pull is. another was low brake fluid. The third took a little bit of work. This was some play in a spherical rod end on the steering. John Mahon who runs a number of racing Vees changed this for me.

Practice Saturday Morning

Went around at a fairly safe speed (slow) until engine went bang. I coasted to the side and got out to investigate. What I found was one of my spark plugs swinging on the end of its lead.

I was towed back to paddock after practice was over. I showed the damage to John Mahon, he said he might have a spare head. I went for a walk! When I came back my pit crew (Killian Bannon) was working with John putting my engine back together.

Saturday Race

Went well for 3 laps then power went so I pulled over. They were a great 3 laps. At the start the car ahead of me made a poor start so I backed off and the 2 cars behind me passed me ( I was now last). My time the engine power dropped off I had passed the 3 cars I just mentioned and was closing in the next. A loose exhaust manifold was diagnosed.

Sunday race

Eventful startThe car behind me gets a good start and his right front is by my left rear when I have to move because of another car, he went for a 2 foot slight in the air and had to retire with suspension damage. Coming into the first corner knowing the carnage that can happen at the first corner, I went the long way round and picked up 4 places! On the second lap one of the cars I passed outbraked me coming into the Furry Glen hairpin. So I gave him room, but he left getting on the power a bit late coming out of bend so I modified my  http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/nosemod.jpg - nose cone on his gearbox and tyre. Then it happened again the power dropped off so I was passed by everyone and had to retire. I was towed to the edge of the track area after the race and Killian used my van to tow me back to the paddock.

I will have to investigate this power loss before my next event the Donegal hillclimbs 2/3 September

And many thanks to my pit crew Mr. Killian Bannon. Without him my weekend would have major pressure

This photo sums up my weekend

http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/PPTow.jpg - http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/Fvee1/PPTow.jpg

At least I was towed by a BMW!

2007 A new season

I got the FVee back from John Mahon (near Gorey Co. Wexford) on Wednesday after having had its engine rebuilt . This was convenient as I received a notice that there was a test day at Mondello today Friday.

Now since my current working hours are 10am to 1 pm in Blessington I decided to do the afternoon session. I dropped the FVee at Mondello on my way to work (see Hit and Run Topic for what happened on the way)

Battery was flat on the FVee so I charged it off the van while I was signing on and changing clothes. Took the first session handy with limited revs to run in the engine. Second session a bit more on the revs but I noticed the handling a bit funny coming out of the double apex rights. Braking at the first part of the Esses I got a wobble and ended up in the gravel trap. The reason for the handling malady was now revealed. A rocker cover bolt had come out and dumped oil on the left rear tyre. Towed back to paddock.

The gravel had bent the poor nose cone under the car. All I can say is it will not polish out!.

Third session ran without nose cone, toes frozen! Took engine near max revs, running very smooth. 4th session was a blast, although took it a little cautious with the braking, I did step the power out a few times under power out of a few corners.

As I was on my own I have no laptimes, but I would say they were not great, as I was taking things a little on the safe side

Good stuff,,, Enjoy the new season. Vee's how many on a grid these days. I remember about 10 years ago having grids right back to the corner... followed by mayhem in the first corner..

Mick

You can take this as a comment on current grid numbers

Mondello are giving a discount of 30 euro for the second race if more than 20 turn up for the first

There were only 4 FVees including mine there today, A few FFords and FSheanes and 2 FLibres.

There was an amazing hillclimb car in a garage its owner was driving a libre. The car has a SPA chassis with Pilbeam suspension and a 3 litre Judd V8. There are going to be about 10 Class 7 ( the top class) cars on the hills this year so things are going to very interesting.

The first event is the Wexford Motor club hillclimbs at Bunclody on the 31st March and 1st April

Turning left in Bunclody going South will bring you to the first junction on the hill about 200 metres from the start. It is a 90 right and was a lot of fun in the damp and rain last year. A lot of straight ons under braking and plenty of fishtailing under power exiting the junction.

A photo of the remains of the nose cone after its visit to the gravel trap and subsequent tow out

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=416317030&size=o - http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=416317030&size=o

gjoconnor92 wrote: The first event is the Wexford Motor club hillclimbs at Bunclody on the 31st March and 1st April

Wexford Motor Club have finally sent out details of the event location. Date correct but location not Bunclody but a couple miles North of New Ross. The Saturday hill actually being in that part of Co. Carlow stuck between Kilkenny and Wexford

OOPS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqld3SenzU - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqld3SenzU

Maybe that bend was not flat in top. I was easily doing a minimum of 75mph when I lost it

The front axle tubes on the left have been bent back about 4 inches. The left rear trailing arm was bent.

I survived without a scratch, although I had that thought "this is going to hurt" in the middle of it.

Car will be repaired for next event at Ballyvaughan Co. Clare organisied by Galway Motor Club (Fey!'s crowd) on 21/22 April

Hit the bank that the bushes and trees were growing a video camera man got the end of the incident. I just bounced off the bank.

As you said I was lucky + the Vee was strong, Thanks Mr. Sheane

The full run from Sunday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7DI7FFHvfA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7DI7FFHvfA

and the Saturday hill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdCp8jH0LHk - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdCp8jH0LHk  

The Saturday hill was short but with more variety of challenge, Sunday was a pure high speed blast. Look at the finish fast bend then downhill. I reckon I was doing about 95mph over the finish the quick guys were doing 130mph

Some times

Saturday winner overall 2.4litre single seater 32.61s my quick time 38.95

Sunday was won by a 2.4 Escort (the 2.4 single seater had gearbox problems and was 2nd) time 44.92s my time 53.43s

There was a lovely E30 M3 competing on Sunday he set a time of 53.22s

Ballyvaughan Co. Clare orgainised by Galway Motor Club 21/22 April 2007

Compiled my on board videos into a 6 minute piece

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5bvhn-c3CI - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5bvhn-c3CI

Batteries went flat on way to line for last run. Put down the power too heavy at the left hander before the mid point services and spun into the wall. Damaged front suspension again.

My runs were not the fastest for two reasons

1. I was lacking confidence after my high speed off on the Wexford event

2. The car felt totally different after the rebuild. It turned in better and the brakes had a way better feel. On the negative side the back felt a little more skittish.

MY 2nd run on Sunday was 131s against 128s last year. Maybe I was trying too hard to equal last year's time on the last run! 

The Rain Stayed Away

We were very lucky with the weather at Carrick on Suir Motor clubs Hillclimb weekend. Rounds 5 and 6 of the http://www.pmt365.com/ - Premier Machine Tools Hillclimb Championship were held at Millvale near Rathgormack on Saturday and Garryduff near Piltown on Sunday.

Saturday had 3 entered in my class I managed to take 1st place even with my driving cautiously. I did not want to make it 3 events in a row wher I was bringing home a damaged car!

Pictures from the Sunday can seen http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2007-events/coshill/ - here . Page 4 IMG_7621 and page 7 IMG 7838 and 7839 are me in the Vee . I did not set up the my camera on the car.

The Saturday Hill at Millvale is a combination of a slow start opening out to quick last section with a tricky right hander before the finish

The Sunday hill has been nick named the M50, it is so fast the incline of the road is the only thing that keeps the speeds from going ballistic. The car that finished 5th overall was on max revs in top which equates 136mph. I doing about 102mph, the Beetle engine just did not have the grunt to hit max revs up that incline. 

Overall a good weekend.

Next event Carlow Motor club Sprints at Bagenalstown Sunday June 3 and Athy Monday June 4

Mechanical Woes

Since the my last update I have entered the Carlow Car Club's event at Bagenalstown and Athy and Clare Motor Club's event at Ballyvaughan and Carron

The first day of the Carlow event at Bagenalstown was long straight with 2 chicanes followed by a square right into a narrow twisty bit. That's the nice bit. The not nice bit is http://public.fotki.com/speedy/2007-events/cccsprint1/img8078.html - IT RAINED .The day was a big gamble so I started slow and set a reasonable time for the conditions on my last run.

The second day was a narrow bumpy road near the Moate of Ardscull out side Athy. I was 2.6 seconds slower than last year which was frustrating, I am blaming gearchange problems see below

A week later at Clare. More gearchange problems on practice and First Run. Second Run got off start line and no more gears. Caused a red flag as a result and had to rolled back to startline and out of the way. The next day I offered my services to the organisors and spent the day in glorious sunshine about 1/3 of the way up the hill as a flag marshal.

Car going for gearbox repair soon and should be ready for next rounds of the http://pmt365.com - Premier Machine Tools championship at Dungarvan 7th and 8th of July organised by http://www.tipperarymotorclub.com/ - Tipperary Motor Club

The rain didn't stay away

The Dungarvan hillclimbs took place July 7/8 organised by Tipperary Motor Club. Each day began with the threat of rain. Saturday had glorious sunshine in the morning. The practice run was dry on the revised from last year course. The second chicane was abandoned for 2007 bringing back the high speed blast that the Dungarvan hill is famous for. The first chicane was changed from a 2 element to a 3 element, this did not change speeds through the chicane much.

The single as a group had just finished their first timed run and were waiting at the top of the hill to return to the paddock when the rain arrived. Having learned from previous experience I keep a Black bin under the seat to provide shelter while waiting.

On returning to the paddock every single seater driver put their car on the trailer. The saloon competitors continued for a further 2 runs although times were greatly reduced.

My time was 82.01 seconds which I was quiet happy with.

Sunday started overcast a practice and 2 timed runs were in the dry. The rain then arrived and runs 3 and 4 were wet only 22 of the 68 competitors did the 4th run. Again no single seaters went up in the wet.

My time 81.91s

Both days I was the only competitor in my class so took maximum class points. I now require only one finish from the remaining 6 hills (3 weekends) to secure victory in my class. Next event Limerick 4/5 August

I had picked the car on Friday from the workshop where my suspected gearbox problem was repaired. The problem turned out to be the lightened flywheel had broken.

What a standard flywheel looks like

It can been seen from the machining and drillilling done that there was not much of the standard flywheel left in this lightened version

There is still a 3rd gear synchromesh problem to be sorted

AHEALY wrote: Ger, that is a great result even if it was by default. If you were to win, will it be your first time ?. Have you any other wins in other classes etc ?. Good luck in the Limerick event.

Last year too many Formula Fords meant the only time I got a third place was when one of them had sticking butterfly in one choke of his carb.

This year all the Formula Fords moved to other classes bar one Declan McNamara. Only 2 other cars entered class 5A (both Vees) this year. Dean was quicker than me at Ballyallaban and I broke the car trying to beat him  on the last run ! Nuisance these competitive urges. The other Vee driver Fran has a less developed car so has been no challenge to me (so far). Declan has missed a number of events this year so I have won 7 and Declan the other 5 of the 12 so far in 2007.

In the Ritmo when there was a Ritmo class I used to  regularly pick up 3rd places after Des Cullen and Tony Murtagh. Except for one glorious day when I beat them. Laragh had a spot where drivers who had done their run could spectate. Des said afterwards I would never repeat the way I took the last few corners, 1 of them on 2 wheels!

Back in 1995 in a race I was running in a new engine, so taking it handy. A major deluge came and I continued driving handy. If I had known that the car passing me on the last lap was passing me for the lead I would have made it difficult for him. Everybody except me had fallen off the track at some stage so I actually led the race for about half a lap!

Time to rest

At the Limerick Hillclimbs on the 4th and 5th of August, I only competed on the Saturday. I just needed the points from that day to clinch victory in Class 5A in Premier Machine Tools National Hillclimb and Sprint Championship.

The Saturday hill is near The Old Mill outside Newcastle West. It is a quick course with only one slow corner near the start and fast kinks after that. I drove practice and 1st run cautiously to gather my points. Dean Laffey also in a Vee was only competition in the class on the day, so on Runs 2 to 5 I tried my hardest to beat him, but in the end he beat me by 2.1 seconds. Final Result Dean 47.68s me 49.84s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSK1FIkuGk - Video

Sunday I marshalled on the Boula hill near Broadford on the Limerick Cork border. One of the drivers when walking the hill said that I had the most significant corner on the hill and it should be interesting

Boy was he right. First a Corsa couldn't straighten and mounted the ditch across from me, then an Uno spun just before that spot and finally a Puma ended up in the spot that Corsa had been in previously. The rear wheel drive saloons were very entertaining with their tail out antics.

There are 4 rounds (2 weekends) left in the championship. Donegal 1/2 September where I intend to relax and spectate and MEC 15/16 September near Ashford Co. Wicklow where I have offered to do startline timekeeper for the weekend.

After that will be the championship prize giving and then roll on 2008

The 2008 hillclimb season has started

The first of the event of the year was at Barntown outside Wexford town. Saturday started very wet and dried as the day went on. I finished 2nd of the 6 drivers in my class. The winner was a younger driver in a Formula Ford (about 30bhp more than my Vee).

Sunday had one shower in the morning but cleared up. Same result as previous day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arFSyuDUd7s - Video of Sunday Runs

Before that I had tested in Mondello with the end result of a broken valve spring.

I helped some hillclimbers at the Formula Libre testing at Mondello recently. As a thank you I got to drive one their cars (slowly!). The car was a 2 litre mid 1990s Formula Renault with wings and slicks. Comment, I want one! The grip of the slicks was amazing. As I said I drove it slowly, the regular driver was doing 57/58 second laps I was doing 63/64 second laps, not helped by a fuel starvation problem on the first part of the Esses. Only about a litre of petrol in the tank when I finished.

But I have to admit I thorougly enjoyed my 15 laps

Next event Galway Motor Club at Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare 19/20 April (next weekend)

Hi ger

good to see you are at it again

would love to come out and see the next run but have to finish the last paper for my degree (hand in date is 24.4.08) for sure will go and watch one later this year

best of luck in Galway

chris

Ger/Denis; be nice to the locals in Ballyvaughan; Digweed will be the bike marshall on both days, and I'll be somewhere between starter/paddock/everywhere for the 2 days!

Denis; make sure you come up and introduce yourself this year.

Ben O'Brien; are you coming up to spectate again this year?

Ger; hope you keep the nosecone on this year!

@ David, yeah i hope to take a spin up on the sunday, its between this or the drifting in mondello, i should really be studying for my college exams in 3 weeks but its overrated!

Fey! wrote: Ger; hope you keep the nosecone on this year!

I am a wee bit more cautious since then.

Can't be too cautious though with 6 in my class at Wexford, maybe more at the weekend

Eventually made it up there to see 2 runs. A hillclimb virgin, was good fun to watch as each car got it's own focus of attention, but the event passed by very quickly. Met Ger briefly beforehand - only got to see one of your runs though, Digweed on the bike (who was pretty busy and probably posted a good time himself !) Think I saw Fey after the event, not sure what he looked like and I'm a bit shy.......That white MkII Escort was absolutely nuts, there is definetley something else in that tank other than petrol, 2.4L 300+++ bhp,600kg and the noise..... Although Denis's M3 was by far the loudest car there - didn't meet him either. A lovely MKI escort bit the dust which was a pity.

Have a couple of photo's, if ever get upload working for Vista I'll post up.

We were definitely kept busy all weekend!  Not everything went 100% to plan, but it was still a very good weekend.

Met Ger a couple of times, and spoke to Denis briefly (the doctor even remarked on his car).  Also saw that lovely blue e36 4 door M3 passing by me.

As for McKinleys escort, he had to refuel on the line at one stage because he had started and been brought back to the line by Digweed so many times.  Not sure if Digweed got to post a time, but it would have been interesting to see!

NN_DD; I was the guy driving the green freelander (doing the lunch run, cementing the oil spills, general dogsbody...)

Mine was that 4-door M3 alright, I was heading up the race hill after the finish and felt a bit sheepish as I could remember where that MkII was approaching the corners sideways

Herself even enjoyed it, there wasn't one bit of boredom or waiting around. You had full access to the cars are there were no spoilt pre-madonnas - reminded me of my old Motocross and Grasstraking days.

@Fey - you wouldn't have been the guy not too short on height ? Thought it might've been you talking with Digweed just after the event at the start line (we were tracking back down the hill on foot)

Not many BMW's though, couple of nice E39's in the paddock area and of course Denis' M3 (which nearly left some paint on my elbow while passing close to a wall after the first turn.....)

When's the next one on ??? 

Thoe videos look well, but don't really show off the conditions.  In the second video, if you go over the edge on the right from 41 seconds onward, you basically fall off the world!

NN_DD; that sounds like it was me you saw with Digweed.

Thanks Fey! and Digweed

You had a difficult weekend, I enjoyed my drives to 3rd in class both days.

I am getting slower in my old age though. 2006 128s 2007 131s 2008 134s, This is a trend I need to stop

Two events since last update

Clare Motor Club 7/8 June 2008

This was a difficult event. On Saturday at the Corkscrew outside Ballyvaughan, I had an oil pipe blow off as my double drive for the weekend Cillian Bannon ( a first time competitor) brought the car to the start line. Some emergency repairs had to be done as the oil cooler was also damaged. I ended up 2nd of the 4 competitors in the class, Siobahn McCann achieved her first class win.

Sunday at "the scalp" near Carron, Cillian and I had to keep the car cool having no functioning oil cooler so a lot more pushing the car around the paddock. Cillian discovered his natural talent finshing 2nd after Siobhan with me in 3rd!

Tipperary Motor Club at Dungarvan 5/6 July 2008

Both days were in very changeable conditions, Saturday I finished 2nd after Colm Dunphy in a Formula Ford with Siobhan in 3rd.

Sunday I did a good first run with no one near me on time, so I sat there watching as the rest of the class tried to beat my time. Siobhan came close on the 4th run. This was my first class win of the season with Siobhan 2nd and Colm 3rd

I am currently first in my class in the http://www.magnus.ie/ - Magnus Technology National Championship, although with dropped scores to come into play, Colm holds an advantage.

Next event

http://www.limerickmc.ie/hillclimb.htm - Limerick Motor Club 2/3 August 2008 Saturday at the Old Mill near Newcasstle West, Sunday Boola hill near Broadford on the Limerick/Cork border

Hope to see you there

My Home Event

Limerick Motor Club's rounds of the http://magnus.ie - Magnus Technology National Championship were held onthe 2nd and 3rd of August at the Old Mill near Newcastle West on Saturday and Boola Hill near Broadford on Sunday.

The start line on Saturday had to be moved because of recent rain. The start area never dried so starting technique was vital to maximise speed on the quick course. Siobhan had the lead on runs 1 and 2, she had spin on run 3 which allowed me to take lead for runs 3 and 4. Siobhan took the win on run 5.

Sunday at Boola hill was another quick event. Learning which fast sweep was which was vital. The day started with very variable weather conditions. Scott Milligan took the class lead on run 1 after both Siobhan and I had wet runs. Siobhan took the lead for runs 2,3 and 4. With the road dry for run 5 Siobhan improve by 1 second, but I improved by 2.5s to take the win.

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=C1tliK0l0Bw - Day 2's 5 runs on YouTube

Next Event takes place 23/24 August at the now by passed Cullenmore bends near Ashford, Co. Wicklow organised by the http://www.mec.ie - MEC

This is convenient to spectate from Dublin. Here are some coordinates for you SAT NAV

Start line Latitude: 53.0422° Longitude: -6.0892°

Junction between Finish and Paddock Latitude: 53.0272° Longitude: -6.0940°

Drop down to see Denis Hogan in his E36 M3 and me in the Formula Vee. 

Sorry about not putting date in previous post

23/24 August Just a week and a bit to go!

Hope to see you there

Eventful Event

23/24 August 2008

The first day of the Motor Enthusiasts Club Sprint at the Cullenmore bends near Ashford Co. Wicklow started with rain on the horizon. Everybody started exploring their limits from the practice run. I went beyond my limit and spun exiting the second chicane. Being a little cautious on the 1st timed run led to a time of 53.23s 3rd place behind Richard Dunphy in a FFord 52.18s and Siobhan McCann FVee 52.84s. On the slightly damp second run I spun again at the same spot! The weather worsened so the first run times determined the final result.

Sunday was completely different weatherwise with the sun nearly splitting the stones. Richard Dunphy took the early class lead and was not caught. The battle for 2nd was a bit more exciting. Siobhan set a time of 49.99s on her first run to my 52.32s. Then catastrophy struck for Siobhan, Scott Milligan who shares her car, lost control at the first chicane and made a bit of a http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/images/scottsmods.jpg - mess of the car, Scott was a bit sore afterwards! I offered Siobhan the drive in my car, which she accepted and duly started beating me in my own car. I rectified things on the final run to pip her for 2nd place with a time of 47.65s to her 48.07s

No YouTube video of my spins, but http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRGF22pEcU4 - here are Runs 3 and 5 from Sunday

Next event Donegal Motor Club 6/7 September at Knockalla near Portsalon. 

The Battle to the end

Donegal 6/7 September 2008

Sorry for the delay in updating this thread, I have been busy

My wife and I headed for Donegal on Friday evening. It was a miserable drive, we were following a torrential band of rain!

Saturday dawned a beautiful sunny day. As we headed out from the hotel to Knockalla mountain where the event was being held, about 15 miles, there was a loud bang from the back of the Kangoo. Investigation showed that the left rear torsion bar had broken and the rear of the van was resting on the bump stop.

In the battle for the championship I had to finish ahead of Siobhan on just on day. After a close battle Siobhan beat me by 0.25s. One sillyness that happened to me on the practice run was I lost power coming out of the tight right. Panic had the engine developed a problem, then I noticed I had knocked off the ignition switch. I turned it on and bump started the car just before it slowed to a stop. Of course I tried too hard on the final run and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEuQCJDYuds - demolished a cone at the chicane!

Sunday Last chance for me! Siobhan got off to a flier, nearly 2 seconds quicker than me! She improved on runs 2 and 3. After a few bits of advice on where I losing time (braking to early at the chicance and too late at the right hander) I managed to get to within 0.39s of her time.

We were beaten both days by Colm Dunphy in the Formula Ford. The championship ended 93 points for both Siobhan and I, Siobhan took the championship by virtue of having 1 more 10 point score than me!

Denis Hogan in his E36 M3 finished 2nd and 3rd in class 3B each day

The Times

Saturday FTD Paul O'Connell 40.39s. 20th overall Denis Hogan 49.45s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI1qHCrpaj8 - 42nd Overall Me 52.99s

Sunday FTD Paul O'Connell 40.24s. 24th overall Denis Hogan 49.35s. 38th Overall Me 51.10s

John Mahon took the FVee to his base in his truck (a crankshaft oil seal needs to be replaced. The Kangoo came back from Donegal with http://homepage.eircom.net/~goconnor/rkra/rearaxle.htm - a block of timber propping up the rear !

Next event probably the Wexford Hillclimbs 28/29 March 2009 I would hope to do a test day before then though.

And there will be more trouble as another female driver joins class 5A.

Sorry you missed Ballyvaughan, Ger.  Hope the shoulder improves soon.

Saw the two Denis' down there.  Digweed probably put up the highest mileage over the weekend, and at some of the highest speeds.  Pity we couldn't get a time for him! (He was the bike marshal).

Hope everyone who was there enjoyed it.

Hi all

I have not competed since the Phoenix Park in 2009. Finances, work and other distractions have kept me away from things motoring.

Any news with the rest of you

What events, meetings etc. have I missed in the last year?